"Come on, it's just a selfie. No need to be like that," he laughed awkwardly, trying again with his phone.
He hadn't really wanted a picture. He just thought it'd be fun to mess with Yoru.
What he hadn't expected was that Yoru didn't just submit quietly—he'd even pushed him away.
It made Tobe feel like he'd lost face, especially in front of classmates and friends.
He needed to get his pride back.
"Let go. Take your hand off me!" Yoru growled.
He shoved Tobe again, this time harder.
Tobe had used a bit of force himself, but he was surprised to find that even his strength was no match—Yoru still pushed him away with ease.
"Leave me alone," Yoru said louder.
Yumiko had been chatting with Hayama Hayato nearby. She looked over at the sudden noise.
Yoru turned to the window again. Tobe laughed it off, scratching his head to hide his embarrassment.
"Hey, quiet down. Don't cause a scene," Yumiko snapped. Her long eyebrows twitched, giving off a commanding presence.
"No big deal, just messing around," Tobe smiled, waving his hand and sneaking a glare at Yoru, muttering under his breath:
"Just a guy anyone can pick on..."
"Useless..."
Yoru didn't hear the last part clearly.
At that moment, two beautiful girls entered from the back door.
One was Yuigahama Yui, who sat in the middle of Yoru's row.
The other was Ebina Hina, who walked over to greet Yumiko.
Tobe had been planning to get back at Yoru somehow, but seeing Ebina walk in, he dropped the idea immediately.
Smiling, he returned to his clique, still grumbling about Yoru under his breath.
"Damn bastard!"
Yoru muttered under his breath, silently cursing Tobe in his heart.
Of course he knew what that guy was really thinking. People like that were just plain disgusting.
Whether it was premeditated or spontaneous—it didn't matter.
"May the person he likes never like him back. Anyone else is fine..."
Yoru cursed Tobe in his heart.
After all, he couldn't lash out physically. If he did, he'd be expelled.
"Hope that curse comes true..." Yoru added quietly.
…
Lunch break passed quickly.
The first class in the afternoon was World History.
And the teacher for that class—was none other than the infamously strict Kirisu Mafuyu.
Not long after the bell rang, there was still chatter in the classroom.
But the moment the sharp clacking of heels echoed across the floor, the classroom immediately fell silent.
Then, Kirisu stepped into the doorway, holding a stack of books, dressed in a professional teacher outfit with a cold expression.
All the students turned to look at her.
Some were visibly excited—it wasn't every day the school's most beautiful teacher taught your class.
Others examined her cautiously, knowing she was infamous for being strict, rule-abiding, and extremely harsh.
'Just as I thought... there's a golden treasure chest above Kirisu's head too!'
Sitting in the corner, Yoru's expression was completely different from everyone else.
'My guess was right. Only bad women have golden treasure chests on their heads!'
Sure enough, just like the ones on Utaha and Kaguya, there was a golden treasure chest floating above Kirisu's head—something only he could see.
It was bright, obtrusive, impossible to ignore.
Yoru exhaled excitedly, looking as if he had expected this all along, his breathing growing heavier.
"Class, begin." Kirisu placed her books down and addressed the students.
Yoru reluctantly stood up, muttering her name without a shred of respect.
Once she let everyone sit, her eyes immediately landed on Yoru in the corner.
There was a faint hint of disgust in her eyes. Skipping duties was bad enough, but leering at Utaha's thighs like a pervert?
And stealing her panties and stockings on top of that? That was straight-up sexual harassment!
"Sigh..." Kirisu quietly sighed to herself and pushed away her chaotic thoughts, beginning the lesson.
Forty minutes passed.
During the short break, Yoru sneakily watched Kirisu walk out and thought, Why hasn't the progress bar moved? Is the distance still not enough?
He remembered that when Utaha searched his stuff in the tent...
They spent a bit of time together, then later in the principal's office—and that's when her progress bar started increasing.
Now he had just spent an entire class in the same room as Kirisu, yet her progress bar hadn't budged.
Yoru scratched his head, trying to make sense of it, and concluded it must be the distance.
You had to be close—really close—for the progress bar to increase.
Before long, break ended and it was time for the second and final class of the afternoon.
After this, students were free to go home, attend clubs, or work part-time.
But since most students at Shuchiin were from wealthy families, hardly anyone worked.
Club activities were vibrant and varied.
Most students joined a club.
Others either went out with friends or simply went home.
3:30 p.m.
The school bell rang.
The math teacher didn't hold them back and simply dismissed the class.
The room erupted with noise as many students, already packed up, rushed out in groups.
Yoru sat quietly, scrolling through news on his phone while watching Yumiko dawdle before leaving.
Only then did he pack up and slowly head out.
Sunlight pierced through the hallway windows.
"It was cloudy this morning," Yoru muttered and slowly made his way downstairs.
During dismissal, it was inevitable to run into slow-walking girls.
"Ew, look! Isn't that the disgusting fat freak? Why's he still even coming to school?"
"Stay away from him, I might puke. Can't believe they haven't expelled that criminal yet."
"Hey hey hey, you perverted pig, turn around and look at me~"
Some whispered behind him. Some boldly insulted and mocked.
Yoru acted like he didn't hear them, kept his head low, and quickened his pace.
…
Meanwhile, at the school gate—
Eriri, the star of the art club, walked alone, silently watching the stream of students exiting the campus.
She hadn't gone to the art club today. She had a lot on her mind and wanted to visit her dear "little sister," Izumi Sagiri, to talk it out.
Just then, a plain-looking otaku with black-rimmed glasses and bangs just covering his brows ran by.
"R-Rinri...?!"
Eriri gasped instinctively, about to call out to her childhood friend, Aki Tomoya.